Paul Scholes has always been known for his honesty. Whether it was on the pitch, where his passes cut through defenses like a knife, or off the pitch, where his words now slice through football narratives, the Manchester United legend never holds back. And this time, as Liverpool and Manchester United prepare for one of football’s fiercest rivalries at Anfield after the international break, Scholes has dropped another bombshell. In his view, there’s only one possible outcome — Liverpool will win. It doesn’t matter that the Reds are currently battling confidence issues or that Arne Slot’s side has been shaky in recent weeks. According to Scholes, Manchester United are in such a deep hole that even a struggling Liverpool side will beat them comfortably. It is a bold claim, but if anyone knows what this fixture means, it is Paul Scholes.
The build-up to this clash is surrounded by doubt, frustration, and pressure on both sides. For Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, the trip to Anfield might well define his future. The Portuguese coach is trying to steady the ship after a disappointing run in the Premier League, where victories have been painfully rare. Every match now feels like a test of survival. United’s problems are deep-rooted — inconsistency, lack of confidence, and players underperforming in key moments. The fans have started to lose patience, and while Amorim is not in immediate danger of being sacked, the sense around Old Trafford is that the pressure is beginning to crush him.
Yet, the task that awaits him after the break could not be more difficult. A trip to Anfield is never easy for any Manchester United manager, even when Liverpool are struggling. The atmosphere, the intensity, and the sheer emotion of the fixture make it one of the most intimidating experiences in world football. Scholes knows that reality too well. He played in many of these fiery encounters, and now, from his seat as a pundit, he can sense when a United team isn’t ready for the storm. In his words, Manchester United have reached a point where defeat at Anfield seems “inevitable.”
But what makes his prediction even more striking is that he still believes Liverpool, despite their current poor run, have enough fight to turn things around in this game. In recent weeks, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have looked lost. The energy and aggression that once defined them have faded. They’ve lost three matches in a row in all competitions. The new players are still trying to adapt, and the established stars look far from their best. Alexander Isak, signed for a huge fee, has struggled to find rhythm. The supply lines from midfield have been weak, and the service to him has been almost non-existent. Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s record signing at £116 million, has been dropped to the bench. His form has dipped sharply since his explosive debut month. Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, brought in for their pace and attacking threat, have been running endlessly up and down the pitch without making a real impact.
Even the dependable names seem lost. Mohamed Salah, the heartbeat of Liverpool for years, looks a shadow of his former self. His spark has dimmed, and Scholes even joked that Salah “looks to have aged ten years in three months.” Alexis Mac Allister, usually so composed in midfield, has been struggling to put one foot in front of the other, while Ibrahima Konaté’s head appears to be in Madrid, with transfer rumors constantly swirling around him. Arne Slot’s dream of reshaping Liverpool into his image has hit several painful bumps already.
And yet, Scholes says it is still Liverpool’s game to lose. “Manchester United are in such a bad rut,” he said on The Overlap Fan Debate, “that you have no confidence in them that they’re going to get out of it. It’s almost predictable that they’ll go to Anfield and get beaten.
His advice to Amorim is simple but revealing: park the bus. According to Scholes, the only way for United to avoid embarrassment is to play defensively, sit deep, and hope for a draw. Anything else would be suicide. “Ruben Amorim needs to try and get something from Liverpool at Anfield,” he said. “I’d be thinking about drawing the game and finding a way somehow to stop them from scoring.” Those words might sound negative, but they reflect the reality at Manchester United right now. A team that once went to Anfield dreaming of victory is now approaching the fixture just hoping to survive.
This mindset is a far cry from the United teams of old. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the idea of parking the bus was almost unthinkable. United played to win, even in hostile grounds. But the modern Manchester United are broken — fragile confidence, disjointed play, and no real identity. The players seem unsure of what to do, the tactics are inconsistent, and Amorim’s ideas have not yet taken root.
The 3-1 defeat to Brentford last month was a painful example. United looked lost, disorganized, and unmotivated. That performance led Scholes to admit that Amorim might already have overstayed his welcome. “I feel like with Ruben Amorim it’s got to the point where we don’t want to talk about sacking managers all the time and Manchester United do give managers enough time,” Scholes said. “But it wasn’t until that Brentford game where I thought, ‘He’s getting a little bit too much time,’ and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before things come to an end.”
Scholes isn’t alone in his frustration. Many former United players have voiced concern over the club’s direction. The feeling is that the problems are bigger than any single manager. The recruitment strategy has been inconsistent for years, the dressing room lacks leadership, and the team’s mentality crumbles whenever pressure builds. Amorim was brought in as a young, energetic coach with fresh ideas from Portugal, but the English Premier League has swallowed many promising managers before him.
What makes the situation even more intriguing is Liverpool’s own chaos. While Manchester United’s struggles are clear, Liverpool’s problems have been just as damaging. Arne Slot has inherited a team in transition, one that is still searching for rhythm after years of Jurgen Klopp’s high-intensity football. The squad has been reshaped, but it’s not yet functioning as a unit. The fans are restless, the media is questioning his decisions, and confidence is slipping fast.
And yet, this is why Scholes’ prediction feels so dramatic. He doesn’t see form or performance as the deciding factor in this rivalry — he sees mentality. Liverpool, even in a bad moment, still have a winning spirit. The crowd at Anfield still lifts the players, even when they are struggling. Manchester United, on the other hand, look mentally beaten before the whistle even blows. That’s the difference, and that’s why Scholes believes the result is “inevitable.”
It’s hard to argue with him. History backs his words. United have found Anfield a nightmare in recent years. Whether under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag, or now Ruben Amorim, they have rarely escaped without embarrassment. The last time United looked truly competitive in this fixture feels like a lifetime ago.
The key question, though, is what this match means for both managers. For Amorim, defeat could push him closer to the edge. The fans have not turned completely, but patience is fading. The hierarchy at United knows that the upcoming months will define whether Amorim’s project can survive. A heavy loss to Liverpool might make his position impossible to defend. For Arne Slot, this match offers something different — a chance to stop the bleeding, restore belief, and silence the critics. A win over United would not only give Liverpool three points; it could reignite their entire season.
Scholes’ words also reflect the reality of what both clubs have become. Liverpool, even in transition, still operate like a club with a clear identity. Manchester United, on the other hand, have been in an identity crisis for years. Each new manager brings a new style, a new philosophy, and a new list of excuses. The result? Confusion and mediocrity. Scholes’ honesty might sting, but it also exposes the truth many fans already know — United are no longer feared, not even by a wounded Liverpool side.
As the countdown to October 19 continues, tension is rising. The international break provides both managers some breathing space, but it also magnifies the pressure. Every question, every headline, every fan discussion is about the Anfield clash. For Amorim, it’s about survival. For Slot, it’s about redemption. And for Scholes, it’s simply about facing reality.
He may no longer wear the United shirt, but his passion for the club remains strong. His frustration is that Manchester United should never enter a game with the mindset of damage control. Yet that’s where they are now — hoping for a draw, fearing the worst, and depending on luck rather than quality. It is a sad reflection of how far they have fallen.
Liverpool might be wounded, but wounded animals often fight hardest. The Anfield crowd will smell weakness, and if United start poorly, it could be another long night for Amorim and his players. The ghosts of past humiliations will be there too — the 7-0 loss, the four-goal defeats, the collapses that live in memory. United fans know the feeling all too well.
Scholes’ prediction may sound harsh, but deep down, it’s what many believe. Until United find their identity again, until they play with pride and direction, they will always be second best in fixtures like this. Amorim might have plans, tactics, and motivational speeches ready, but as Scholes says, football is also about mentality. Right now, Liverpool, even in crisis, still have more of it than United.
As the days draw closer, one question will echo in both dressing rooms: who wants it more? For Amorim, this could be the match that defines his Manchester United career. For Slot, it could be the one that saves his season. And for Paul Scholes, it’s a reminder that football, no matter how unpredictable it can be, still has patterns — and sometimes, inevitability.
When the whistle blows at Anfield, it won’t just be a football match. It will be a battle of pride, history, and survival. And if Scholes is right, Liverpool will walk away with all three points, while Manchester United will be left asking themselves — once again — where it all went
